Academic Racism
a shoe on the other foot
We are sharing this August 2020 article written by DeNee Brown for The Washington Post entitled, "Racism denied Auburn’s first Black student a master’s degree." The writer explores the way Auburn University only accepted its first African American student due to legal pressure.
The student was housed in a dormitory by himself (no one would live with him). He was also segregated during meals (no one would eat with him). This denied him the opportunity to develop social skills with his peers - a significant part of college life. The student further could not select his own doctoral thesis topic as it was chosen for him. In addition, the student was unable to defend the doctoral thesis as the committee refused to accept its submission.
He was finally awarded the degree at the age of 86 where the university's academic community gathered for his defense, and to hear the apology for the "sins" of academic racism.
Why did it take so long? Well, the University of Auburn didn't believe it was actually racist because it wasn't "as bad as Mississippi" for example. Today, many other entities, including countries, declare they are "not racist" because they believe they are "not as bad as the US."
To truly be sovereign, a nation must create its identity based on who it is, independent of any other nation. A definition of nationhood based on the binary assumption that another nation is “worse,” is no definition at all.
If the other country would redefine itself, then it simultaneously redefines your nation. The University of Auburn cost this student years of earning potential by denying him the right to stand as a full-fledged academic. This story is not unique to the US, and it is not unique to the 1960s.
Yet, this university refused to even acknowledge its own sin or injustice in the story - until now.
During the course of many years, the University of Auburn lacked self definition by identifying itself in comparison with a different institution. Today, the UK behaves in a manner which is quite similar, ignoring its own complicity in racial injustice.
Instead of trying to be the "less sick," (i.e., "we're not as racist"), let's try to aim to be well. Today, the academic structures continue to bear the weight of colonial mentalities such as appointing a non-specialist internal reviewer to vivas for the defense of non-White doctoral candidates; refusing to order books to support the research for students of color; resisting the hiring of people of color, particularly African descended scholars.
Please read the full article, which includes the identity of the student. Click here.
The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2023
It's sad to read this. I'm glad he finally got Justice and the recognition he deseves but it's also sad to know that it still goes on and not just in the US!